Preschool graduation

 Weston graduated from Preschool two weeks ago.  He loved playing and learning with his friends each week. He's really excited to start school with Brooklyn in the fall. I still can't believe I'm going to have two kids at school all day! My house is going to be strangely quiet with just Blake and Samantha at home. They are going to have to learn to like each other too, it seems like they are always fighting over the same toy lately. Samantha is not scared to smack her older brother when she feels like he deserves it. Blake will miss having his big brother to play with all day, but it will be interesting to see how our day goes with just having two at home. Weston will have the same kindergarten teacher that Brooklyn had, I'm so glad because I love this teacher. I am a little worried that Weston might be the class clown, he loved to make his preschool friends laugh. He's quite the comedian, he gets that from his dad.

 Ella, Weston, Brady, Ethan, Ragan and Shelby

Mother's Day weekend

On Saturday we went to our first JDRF(Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) event. They provided lunch for everyone, following lunch a drug rep talked to us about the Omni Insulin Pump, it's sounds like a cool little pump. Brooklyn is going to be trying out some pumps next month, so it was good to get some information about this one. After lunch everyone bowled and I forced myself to get out of my comfort zone and mingle with some of the moms and talk to them about what pumps they've liked for their kids. It was really helpful to talk with other parents who know exactly what it's like to have a diabetic child. Brooklyn was a little shy to talk with the other kids, but I think it was good for her to see all the other kids that deal with type 1 diabetes each day like she does.

When we got done with bowling, it was really hot outside. We went home and the kids played in the water to cool off. Sunday morning, my family brought me breakfast in bed, and gave me their presents. I loved all the homemade cards, my new crockpot, workout clothes and some chocolate covered strawberries. My sweet neighbor brought me over some flowers, and another friend made me a CD with some fun music on it. After church,  Brooklyn and Weston gave me a foot rub. Brooklyn told me as she was rubbing my feet... " Mom I want to be just like you, I like your hair, your make-up, your clothes, but I DONT want your feet!". It was pretty funny. I don't blame her, I do have some pretty ugly feet. After the foot rub, Rich made everyone dinner. He doesn't enjoy being in the kitchen, but I like watching him scramble in the kitchen trying to find where everything is. After dinner, me and the kids had a little wrestling match and then they went to bed. After that, Rich and I watched "24" on Netflix with our chocolate covered strawberries.  I had a great Mother's Day! 

Easter 2011

We had a fun Easter weekend this year. It was a lot better compared to the previous year.  Last year we were traveling with our moving truck on Easter Sunday from Utah to Albuquerque the entire day, so we weren't able to do all the Easter things that we normally do. I still remember Brooklyn asking if the the Easter bunny would come to our new house in New Mexico. I have to admit that the Easter bunny did not visit us last year.  I was tired from the move, and still recovering from having a baby, and Rich was busy in school. The last thing on our minds was coloring eggs, doing baskets and making a nice meal. Hopefully we made up for it this year.

So with Brooklyn having Diabetes, we cut WAY back on candy. They had a few treats,  but they mostly got dollar toys like bubbles and kites and a $5.00 movie. They didn't seem to miss all the candy that most of us look forward to each Easter. I think I missed the candy more then my kids, I have a HUGE sweet tooth.  

The Easter Bunny even brought me a new waffle maker.  We've been without a waffle maker for  over a year now, so it was nice of him to surprise me with one. 

After breakfast we went to the primary Easter egg hunt. The primary leaders were nice enough to let Brooklyn exchange her eggs of candy for sugar free candy at the end. 

The white house plays this game every year.

Later that day we went and colored Easter eggs with some friends.

Easter Dinner

The girls in their dresses.

My handsome little boys. 

All of us, except Rich. Someone had to take the picture. 

Running with Jenny

Two months ago I asked some of my friends if anyone wanted to do a half-marathon with me. I didn't think I would find anyone who would want to do the run, which is ok.  I enjoy running alone and just listening to my music. I was surprised when  my friend Jenny called me and said she had been thinking about doing this run with me for a few days. She has never ran a half marathon before, and she seemed a little unsure if she could do it.  As I've been doing my long runs with her, it's been neat for me to see her confidence being built and accomplish these long runs each week.  I really looked forward to our Saturday runs together, we talked about EVERYTHING!  It was fun to have a running partner for this race. When we saw the finish line Jenny's kids ran and crossed the finish with her. It gave me goosebumps! Crossing a finish line always feels awesome, but doing it for the first time is really neat. I crossed my first half marathon with my sister-in-law Stacie and I still remember how great that felt. I enjoyed watching Jenny accomplish this goal that she thought was so far out of her reach. We celebrated her accomplishment later that night at Outback Steakhouse. YUM! Eating after a race is always guilt free:)

This was also my first race of running with my vibram shoes. I really liked wearing them. I don't think I would do a trail run with these shoes, but they are great on pavement and on the tredmill. I haven't had any knee pain since I've started running on the balls of feet and not landing on my heels first, these shoes force you to run that way. I've had fun trying these out, I'm thinking that I will be wearing vibrams for a long time. 

Preschool field-trip to the Natural History Museum

Playing at the park

This was a fun evening at the park. My kids think bringing our dinner to the park is the coolest thing ever. They love it when we switch the normal routine for dinner.  I love watching them play, it's a nice break from the house and being surrounded by all of the messes that my kids make. It's not always easy to just walk away from a messy house and take a break from all of it.  But when I have days like this at the park with my family it makes coming home to a mess seem totally worth it.

Samantha is giving the camera some crazy eyes in this last picture, it's kinda funny:)